Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: speedracersworld on October 22, 2015, 10:37:38 PM
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My 08 started giving problems with the KiPass & not showing the "turn key" Icon when depressed. I read many posts about having good batteries, cleaning it with electrical spray, blowing it out with air or even hitting it with a mallet. (DO NOT HIT IT WITH A MALLET!) It's a delicate plastic switch! Yes, I did them all but to no avail so I decided to take mine apart to see what makes it work/ not work. Temporary fix was unplugging/ plugging the grey connector. Another was to remove the solenoid cover and depress the white plastic cam to unlock the key but that requires leaving the cover off; not practical or secure. There is a small micro-switch under the key surround Kipass cover. This switch works just like a brake light switch & energizes the solenoid along with the Icon from the ECU. There is a round plare with a tab that pushes on the micro-switch. On my bike, the micro-switch cap was hanging up due to road grit/ grain of sand/ gravel & not allowing it to release. This would not send the message to energize the solenoid, display the icon to turn the key. It's just a bad design because all the dust, grit & water collects & runs down the gap between the Kipass surround & key. I removed the upper tried clamp then the ignition switch assembly (requires drilling & extracting 2 mount bolts) & disassembled it. I took the micro-switch cap off (carefully not to lose the tiny return spring) & sanded the burrs of the cap caused by the sand/ gravel. Cleaned it up with electtical contact cleaner. I reassembled the ignition switch, reinstalled it on the triple clamp, plugged it all in and tested it several times & it's working great!. Here are some videos for those interested & having the same issue with their C14's. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTxTvWenPuSx9FvXezu4zlQ (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTxTvWenPuSx9FvXezu4zlQ)
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Thanks and we'll definitely appreciate anything else you can add...
Don't forget that we do have a temporary bypass by B.D.F.
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=6976.0 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=6976.0)
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do you have the updated spring in your 08 for the switch ??
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Yes, would definitely appreciate pics. My 2010 has been flawless for 60,000 mile so far. But I'm assuming that one day it will have the problem.
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For more of a visual on the switch..... http://www.pbase.com/fredharmon/kipass (http://www.pbase.com/fredharmon/kipass)
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Thanks "The Pope" for the link.
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Where can I get the updated spring? I called my local dealer, Grapevine Kawasaki, but they had no idea of the issue or of any recalls or service bulletins. His recommendation was to replace the ignition switch assembly! $$$$$! I believe that since I have it fixed & know the cause of the issue, if it acts up again, I know what to do.
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When this first started to happen they (Kwackers) came out with a heavier duty spring but there isn't a discrete part number for it. If they've beefed it up, then it's in the new ignition assembly. This has happened to me twice but between banging on it and swearing I got it going again. Every now and then I take the key out (sign of the cross) and blow it out with compressed air.
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I stretched the spring out a bit before reinstallation. I also sanded the burrs off the cap and maybe a few thousandths off too so there's a bit more gap between the switch cap & ignition housing. I'll still make a cover for it to keep the crud out.